42 
COLYM BIFORMES 
3. Horned Grebe, le gr^be cornu. Colymbus auritus. L, 13 -50. The Horned 
Grebe is about the same size as the Pied-billed and Eared Grebes mentioned next. The 
Horned and Eared Grebes have a general 
similarity of appearance, and both have sharp, 
slender bills instead of high, stumpy ones like 
the Pied-bill. The Horned Grebe has a rich 
chestnut neck and flanks, and full, black, 
outstanding ruff from throat to hindheacl 
(Figure 77), where it joins with and supports 
light ochre ear tufts or “horns.” In autumn 
and winter it is a black (or grey) and white 
bird very similar to the juvenile of the Eared 
( See Plate I B), but quite different from the 
browner, more rusty-necked Pied-bill. 
Distinctions. Its sharp, slender bill will 
distinguish it in any plumage from the Pied- 
bill. From the Eared, which more closely 
resembles it in summer plumage, it is distin- 
guished by its red instead of black neck, its 
full ruff, and light ochre ear tufts instead of 
golden cheek plumes (Figure 77, compare 
with 80). In winter and juvenile plumages 
its black and white coloration separates it 
from the dingier Pied-bill, and the bill when 
fully developed is a safe distinction from the Eared (Figure 78, compare with 79). The bill 
is somewhat shorter, and is a little higher than wide, instead of wider than high, at the 
base. Immature birds, however, may be difficult of separation. 
Field Marks. In adult: the large ruff, giving a “buffie-head” appearance, red neck, 
and light ochre ear tufts. In juvenility: the narrow pointed bill, and 
shiny white foreneck and breast, distinguish it from the Pied-bill, but 
not from the Eared. 
Nesting. Similar to the preceding. 
Distribution. Across the continent, breeding sparingly in the 
east but throughout the Canadian prairies and British Columbia 
north to the .Arctic coast. 
On migration the Horned Grebe prefers the larger 
bodies of water, but in the breeding season it may be 
found in almost any little slough or water-hole on the 
prairies or in British Columbia. The Eared and Pied- 
billed Grebes require considerable reed or tide marsh for 
nesting, but the Horned Grebes in many cases nest in pools 
Figure 77 
Horned Grebe; scale, £. 
Winter Summer 
Bill details of 
Horned Grebe; 
scale, J. 
with bare shores and with little or no cover. 
4. Eared Grebe. bi.ack-necked grebe. le grebe a cou noir. Colymbus 
nigricollis. L, 13-20. Plate I B. This, the smallest of our grebes, is very similar to the 
Horned in size, general coloration, and the possession of a slender, sharp bill instead of a 
short, stumpy one like the Pied-bill. 
Distinctions. Like the Horned it has red flanks, but the neck is black and instead of 
the full ruff and ochre ear tufts it has a spray of golden plumes on the cheek and a helmet- 
like crest on the crown (Figure 80, compare with 77). 
The juvenile and autumn plumage is quite different from the 
dingier and rustier Pied-bill, and similar to the young Horned, from 
which it is separated only with some difficulty by the bill character- 
istics. The bill of the Eared Grebe is longer and narrower and some- 
what depressed at the base so as to be wider than high (Figure 79), 
instead of the converse (Figure 78). 
Field Marks. General appearance of head and neck, the helmet- 
like crest coming to a point over the middle of the crown instead of 
over the hindhead as in the Florned Grebe, the absence of ruff and 
consequent lack of “buffle-head” appearance, and the presence of the 
spray of golden feathers on the cheeks instead of the ochre tufts over 
the ears. Silhouetted against the bright water the bill seems to have 
a slight retrousse effect not noticeable in other grebes. In autumn it 
may not always be separable in life from the Horned. 
Figure 79 
Bill details of 
Eared Grebe; 
scale, 
